The ISU is holding skaters' Olympic eligibility ransom in order to force them to participate in ISU events. While this is not new, this is yet another instance of it. Monopolist scum. I also find it really hard to give a damn about an unimportant competition so soon after Worlds where skaters will skate their by now thoroughly tired programs one more time.

The ISU is holding skaters' Olympic eligibility ransom in order to force them to participate in ISU events....Monopolist scum.

Nah, the monopolistic scumbags are just saying that you can't play sick, skip the World team thing, and then make a miraculous recovery just in time to skate in a show scheduled for the same day that pays more. Note that the time period for the "suspension" just covers the three weeks from worlds to the end of the team event.

Originally Posted by ivy

So is intended to be an every year event? Every other year? Was supposed to happen in Tokyo last year but cancelled because of quake. According to Wikipedia Japanese Fed paid the prize money out in 2009. Is that the case this year?

Only two were scheduled, one in 2009 and then again in 2011, both in Japan. After that, "we'll see."

It is highly unlikely that this event will ever be held anywhere else except Japan. Following post 16 by sky_fly20, this is a made-for-TV show paid for by Japanese television and corporate sponsers, filtering the money through the Japanese Federation. No other federation can raise the money required to put it on and pay the prizes.